SHUTTLE BUS COMMITTEE REPORT (FALL 1998)
GSA Representative: Hossein Tavana <Hossein@mail.utexas.edu>

We had 2 meetings of Shuttle Bus Committee and I attended both. The next meeting is on Dec 14.

The items that was discussed which affects all students including graduate studets are as follows:

October 12 meeting:

1. The following changes will be made to the routes in Spring 1999:

a) One bus will be added to NR (North Riverside) route from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

b) one bus will be added to FW (Far West) route 12 hours a day (from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

c) 3 minutes will be added to circluating time of Campus Loop because of delays at 26th street intersections.

d) Because of low demand and safety problems the stop near the Hula Hut on the ER route will be eliminated.

2. The committee also listened to a report by Capital Metro on possibility and financial potential of advertising on shuttle buses. The advertising can generate revenue either to offset student fees or to provide more service. The committee members said they want to see an offer in writing to evaluate the cons and pros of the suggestion.

3. Gabrielle Burns, student, addressed the Committee with her concerns that the fall 1998 route changes to the North Riverside (NR) Shuttle Bus route had produced several unfavorable conditions for riders. She presented the Committee with a petition signed by 400 persons who want the "old" (spring 1998) NR route reinstated.

In response to Ms. Burns suggestion, committee briefly reviewed the history of the change which was made during the service period of last committee. Later the number of student residents in each apartment complex, as registered at the end of 12th day of Fall semester, was reviewed. Furthermore, some committee members and I made a site visit to the location.

In short, the realignment of the NR line was found to be non-beneficial to the majority of the students residing along that route.

November 9 meeting:

1. Following Ms. Burns request the Committee decided to explore ways to better notify students of recommended route changes in the future.

2. Request by Kristen Becker, student: Red River (RR) stop be relocated from 38 1/2 intersection to the Capital Metro stop at 38th street which has bench and shelter.

The committee recommended Capital Metro issue a passenger notice of the intent to relocate this stop one block south to the existing mainline service stop at 38th Street, effective with the start of the Spring 1999 semester, pending the results of passenger comments, if any.

Shuttle Bus Transportation Agency Act

As an aside to the above mentioned committee activities, Mr. Owen Temple, the Vice President of student government, passed a bill to establish a Shuttle Bus Transportation Agency. One of the provisions of the bill is that students serving in the Shuttle Bus Committee should serve as the Agency's Co-Directors (though it is suggested that this won't apply to the current members of the SB committee).

The act has several good points, but implementing the above will put too much time overburden on graduate students in the committee (besides the SB committee meetings, it will require attending 4 weekly meetings in the student assembly and government, in addition to the weekly meetings that the act has suggested).

My point is that the above requirements might discourage graduate students from serving in the committee. Some of the issues discussed in the committee is purely technical and student body will benefit if graduate students with related background serve in such committees. My suggestion to Mr. Temple was instead of requiring graduate students to attend all those meetings, assign them as advisories to the Agency.

Sincerely,
Hossein